Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Tartakower Line

B74positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3d6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nf6
  5. 5.Nc3g6
  6. 6.Be2Bg7
  7. 7.O-OO-O
  8. 8.Be3Nc6
  9. 9.Nb3Be6
  10. 10.f4Qc8
14 games36%21%43%

A rare Classical Dragon line in which Black answers 10. f4 with 10...Qc8, supporting the e6 bishop and eyeing the c-file; play is roughly balanced.

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About the Tartakower Line

The Tartakower Line is Black's 10...Qc8 in the Classical Dragon after 9. Nb3 Be6 10. f4. It is an alternative to the Maróczy Line, 10...Na5, where the knight heads for c4. Here the queen backs up the bishop on e6 before White can push f5, and it takes up a post on the half-open c-file. White most often replies 11. Kh1, while 11. Bf3 and the direct 11. f5 are also seen. The line is rarely played, and the engine rates the position roughly balanced.

Popular continuations